Praise Be To Feminist Cops! ‘Happy Valley’ Season Two Is Now On Netflix

Today is a big day for state-bound Anglophiles. Season Two of one of the best British crime dramas out there, Happy Valley, has just been added to Netflix. So how is it? According to British-based reviews of the beloved series, it’s just as mysterious, amazing, and compelling as Season One.

Originally airing on the BBC, this Netflix original follows the incredible Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire), a no-nonsense police sergeant in West Yorkshire who is still coming to terms with her daughter’s suicide. It’s a beautifully shot and acted series that is depressingly similar to Broadchurch in how it portrays the gravity of a large crime in a small city. However, what sets Happy Valley apart (aside from its deceptive name) is its relatable and fierce leading lady, Lancashire. Lancashire portrays her role with a believable mix of vulnerability, determination, and callousness, creating a truly relatable character. Also, Catherine handles her professional role in a man’s field with enough fearlessness, intelligence, and self-assurance to make her the ultimate feminist role model.

After Netflix acquired the rights to the mini-series, the show quickly became a Decider favorite. However, that was way in the distant past of 2014, and though our love for the series has not diminished, our memories are a bit foggy. Below is a quick catch up guide for Season One of the series, but beware. If you haven’t watched Season One, don’t read past this point unless you like spoilers.

WHO DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Sergeant Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire)

She’s our beloved and fierce protagonist. Catherine lives alone with her sister and her young grandson, Ryan. Ryan is her dead daughter’s son — her daughter who committed suicide. Soon after her death, Catherine divorced her husband, but that hasn’t stopped them from hooking up from time to time.

Clare Cawood (Siobhan Finneran)

Catherine’s sister who used to be a heroin addict. She’s Catherine’s odd and even-tempered rock, acting more outwardly loving than the forced professionalism of her sister. Clare also acts as our grounded lens into Catherine’s dramatic and high-crime world.

Nevison Gallagher (George Costigan)

A good natured boss who was only trying to avoid office favoritism. After he refuses to grant one of his employees a raise, his employee solicits the help of Tommy Lee Royce, a hit man, to kidnap Nevison’s daughter, Ann.

Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton)

Bad news all around. After being released for selling drugs, Tommy Lee decided to enter the kidnapping game with Nevison’s daughter. He was also responsible for the brutal rape of Catherine’s daughter, which led her to suicide, and is Catherine’s grandson’s father. Catherine had his number all of Season One, which ended in Tommy Lee’s final arrest. But yes, Ryan does now know who his dad is, and, yes, he was kidnapped. It was terrifying.

Ann Gallagher (Charlie Murphy)

Ann was the unfortunate face of the violence behind this bloody series. She wasn’t merely kidnapped; Ann was brutally beaten, drugged, and raped. But don’t think Ann is merely a victim. When Catherine was trying to save her last season, she ran into some trouble with Tommy Lee, which was when the traumatized Ann had the presence of mind and compassion to save her savior.

WHAT HAPPENED?

A lot of torture, a lot of lying, and not much happiness in Happy Valley. In a couple of sentences, here’s what you need to know: A woman, Ann, was kidnapped by Catherine daughter’s recently released rapist. After hours of lies and police dodging, Catherine is finally able to find Ann and put that horrible man back behind bars. Season One ended with the characters finally breathing and counting their therapy options. If you want a more in-depth exploration of each Season One episode, check out our recaps: